The Swiss Franc edged lower in the Asian session today, with USD/CHF trading at 0.8830. This movement comes on the heels of the Swiss National Bank's (SNB) announcement that it has reduced its currency reserves to a seven-year low of CHF 657 billion, down significantly from last year's peak of CHF 950 billion. The reduction reflects the central bank's repatriation efforts, which have been closely watched by traders.
The broader market is also digesting a mix of economic data from the United States. Yesterday, the US Consumer Sentiment Index provided a positive surprise by registering at 61.3, slightly above the anticipated figure of 60.5. However, this was contrasted by a sharper-than-expected decline in Durable Goods Orders, which fell by 5.4%, surpassing forecasts that had predicted a more modest decrease.
Additionally, Jobless Claims in the US declined more than projected to 209K, compared to the previous week's count of 233K. These figures have stoked concerns among traders about persistent inflation and the possibility of a slowing economy, which could lead to more aggressive tightening measures by the Federal Reserve.
As investors and analysts look ahead, they are keenly awaiting further economic indicators to gauge market direction. Upcoming Friday, attention will turn to Swiss Q3 Employment data and US S&P Global (NYSE:SPGI) PMI reports for additional insights into the economic health and potential future market movements. These data points are expected to provide fresh impetus for traders as they assess the ongoing economic landscape and central bank policies.
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